At It From Bit, we rigorously benchmark emerging technologies to track the tech frontier and identify the most effective solutions for complex challenges. This disciplined approach enables us to select the optimal methods with the highest probability of success. Our recent explorations include Generative AI, advanced mathematical optimization, statistical analysis, as well as quantum computing and blockchain (both of which we’ve found, for now, remain premature for practical application).
AI & Decision Intelligence Expert | Digital Transformation Strategist | Business Leader & Entrepreneur | Professor
𝐇𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐀𝐈 𝐀𝐝𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧? 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈'𝐝 𝐁𝐞 𝐃𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 🤔 The AI Adoption Dilemma If you're risk-averse and hesitant to adopt AI because you're unsure which technologies will deliver, you're not alone. With AI progressing rapidly in some areas while lagging in others, it's understandable to feel uncertain about when—and where—to take the plunge. 📊 Leveraging Benchmarking: A Strategic Approach Here's what I'd do: Instead of waiting for AI to mature fully, I'd start by leveraging benchmarking. It's a cost-effective way to gather the critical data needed to make lower-risk decisions. Benchmarking allows you to assess if technology is ready for your use cases without heavy resource commitment. 🛠️ Key Benchmarking Strategies 1️⃣ Public Benchmarks: Public benchmarks are an excellent starting point for assessing whether an AI solution is robust enough to meet your business needs, cutting through the hype. Platforms like Kaggle and Chatbot Arena offer informal benchmarks, letting you evaluate performance on similar problems. However, be mindful of gaming in public benchmarks (see the figure below for overly optimistic, saturated tests). Specific benchmarks are structured to resist such gaming and provide reliable insights into AI capabilities. Examples are ARC-AGI, which tests for novelty, and ForecastBench, designed for strategic forecasting. 2️⃣ Custom Benchmarks: Once you've reviewed public benchmarks, it's crucial to scope and design custom benchmarks tailored to your specific business needs. This final step provides a precise estimate of how well AI will perform in your unique context, further reducing risk. 🚀 Real-World Impact Microsoft's custom benchmark led to a $1 billion investment in OpenAI, followed by $10 billion more, establishing them as AI leaders. Siemens used benchmarking for AI-driven predictive maintenance, achieving 85% improvement in downtime forecasting, 50% reduction in unplanned downtime, and 40% reduction in maintenance costs. These successes drove Siemens to acquire Senseye in 2022, tapping into a market projected to grow from $5 billion to $25 billion by 2028. Both companies leveraged benchmarking to gain strategic advantages, driving long-term industry success. 💡 The Bottom Line In today's uncertain AI landscape, benchmarking is one of the most efficient ways to manage risk and ensure you get real value from AI. It allows you to move forward confidently, knowing that your AI investments are based on solid, data-driven foundations. As leaders, we strategically navigate the jagged frontier of AI capabilities. By embracing benchmarking, we can turn uncertainty into opportunity, positioning our organizations at the forefront of AI-driven innovation. 💬 Curious about how benchmarking can jumpstart your AI journey? Let's connect or comment below to explore how this strategic tool can benefit your organization. #AIAdoption #StrategicLeadership #Benchmarking #JaggedFrontier